I received a Cox Racing radiator guard a few days ago and decided to try and install it tonight. It seems there is a bit of a fitment issue. I can't seem to fit it into place without it rubbing on a plastic shroud under the nose fairing. This is irritating for $100 it should fit without a problem. I saw somewhere on here that someone trimmed some of the guard down, but that to me is horse shit. I am considering sending this back. Am I doing something wrong?

I installed the one I had on my old '06 14 onto my new R which is the same as your pic with no issues in 10 min with 2 zip ties

I installed the one I had on my old '06 14 onto my new R which is the same as your pic with no issues in 10 min with 2 zip ties

No kidding! Man I have tried in vain. I was test fitting it and there isn't any room for those foam pads. Maybe they sent me the wrong one. I don't know but its frustrating.

You have to shave a bit off of the shroud. Use tin snips. It isn't the fault of the radiator guard, it is just a tight clearance with the shroud in stock form, as it should be, considering the purpose of the shroud.

Keep the pads, trim the shroud.

Trust me.

* Last updated by: tooncinator on 2/2/2015 @ 10:11 PM *

Copy.. I will trim the shroud. Do the zipties just go over the top of the two radiator fasteners that are on top?

I had to trim the shroud on my bike. I think it's possible to make the installation without trimming, but that would push the guard into the radiator and I was afraid that, over time, vibration and metal to metal between the guard and the radiator could damage the radiator.

Removing the plastic shroud is easy, I cut it with metal scissors (it's thick)

* Last updated by: runnerhiker on 2/3/2015 @ 1:14 AM *

For me it wasn't just that the shroud would push on the radiator, but that it would catch on it when turning the bars. That dog was not going to hunt. Very happy with it post trim though. And for god's sake take off the relevant fairing pieces instead of trying to work around them. Makes the install confident and clean, and it will be clear where the zip ties have to go.

* Last updated by: tooncinator on 2/3/2015 @ 3:29 AM *

Yeah gotta trim it... I was just as pissed as you when I did mine. Mine would catch on the plastic when I turned the wheel. I recently pulled the radiator and while I had I out I repainted the guard...turns out that guard is way easier to install when you put it on while the radiator is out. Lol

I just bent the radius to match the radiator...then slipped it in there...fastened the lower bolt...no zip tires...no cutting.I did remove the plastic deals on the top of the radiator lip.Once it was fastened at the bottom..it snugged right in there...clearing the inner plastic piece you guys are talking about cutting.It hasn't shifted in 20K miles...and yes...it is sitting right against the radiator face.There's no space in between.The one on my first 2012 did rub lightly on that piece...but wasn't a problem.Only rubbed when turning all the way...but still didn't interfere with the steering at all.It was very minimal.

It can't 'fall' forward with that piece in there..and the bolt holding it below.If you cut some off that inner piece...it can come forward if that lower bolt works loose...and you don't have it ziptied.I never needed the zipties...or any cutting.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 2/3/2015 @ 7:37 AM *

I guess it would be unlikely that anyone would be interested in removing the triple tree cover permanently if they are installing a radiator guard. I haven't had my triple tree cover on for a few years and i haven't had any major stuff shoot up at me. Maybe some sand now and then. The fender should stop anything from spinning up off the front tire.

Is this a Cox specific issue? I have a RG guard and it bolts on the bottom with cable ties on the top. I found the bottom corners to be sticking out slightly but otherwise no rubbing. Agree with Nasty that it's a lot easier to install with the radiator off. I used a drop of super glue on the foam spacers so that it stayed in place. What does the manufacturer say? Do they recomend cutting panels?

I believe it is a Cox issue because of the height of the foam spacers. Maybe RG spacers aren't as tall? If you did not use the spacers, as some have said elsewhere, but which I would not recommend, the guard would probably clear the shroud. It really is no big deal. The plastic is easy to trim and doesn't harm anything unless you plan on removing the radiator guard forever, which I can't fathom. The spacers are there for a reason. The only way for them to 'fix' this without defeating the value of the spacers would be to include a new, pre-trimmed shroud but that would be expensive and needless.

I thought I did see a note from Cox about trimming the guards at some point, or maybe I was smoking banana peels.

* Last updated by: tooncinator on 2/3/2015 @ 4:44 PM *

I didn't have to trim anything.

I filmed an install video..maybe I should edit it and post it.

I've got one on my 14r. Green. Looks the business, hope it saves the rad from a puncture. I got mine in the fall 2014. On she went like butter.

The box my guard came in got a little mashed in shipment, I had to do some slight bending to adnust the shape for a good fit. If a little bending doesn't help maybe you did get the wrong guard, I'd call and check to be sure.

I have emailed back and forth with Andrew Cox and he informed me that they haven't done an update to this guard for the 2014 ZX14R, but they have had to update the 2014 ZX10R. I am considering not returning it and trimming the shroud for the clearance issue. Cox racing also said that the ZX14R radiator guard is up for review and redesign. I am going to send him some pictures to help out. He gave me an RMA number, but per all of your suggestions I am going to pull the plastics and try and fit it one more time and perhaps trim the shroud. I'm thinking that cutting a small piece of plastic is a small price to pay to have protection over the radiator. VIC if you post a video that would be awesome perhaps in the HOW-TO section.

Ok..I'll work on it tomorrow. I didn't remove any body work either. I do have a front lift. That could make a difference in installing it the same way I did.

Bend to Radiator radius.

IF you leave the rad guard bumpers on there(supplied on the guard),it WILL create less clearance from the under plate at the steering stem.You can remove those.If it still is brushing that plate,you don't have the radius bent quite right.It should be sitting flush INSIDE the fins.It won't be moving around any,so it won't be causing any wear to the fin surfaces at the edge.You want it to sit snug inside the fins.There's that flange that runs around the front of the radiator surface.The guard butts up to that flange when installed correctly.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 2/7/2015 @ 10:13 PM *

Video's posted in How-To

"Is this a Cox specific issue? I have a RG guard and it bolts on the bottom with cable ties on the top. I found the bottom corners to be sticking out slightly but otherwise no rubbing. Agree with Nasty that it's a lot easier to install with the radiator off. I used a drop of super glue on the foam spacers so that it stayed in place. What does the manufacturer say? Do they recomend cutting panels?"

I also fitted the R&G and found the same minor issues with the corners but a bit of 'tweaking' soon put that right. It's very tight and compact in there so you'll have access issues no matter what guard you fit, especially if you have hands like snow shovels. I fitted the guard after holing a rad, not the best scenario!

"What does the manufacturer say? Do they recomend cutting panels?"..No,they don't(say one way or the other).It's all in the radius of the bend.